Today we gathered with progressive Catholics in Dublin to celebrate a liturgy
on the feast of the Transfiguration. We invited women called to a renewed priestly ministry to contact us. After the liturgy, three women shared their call to priestly ministry with us. We were overjoyed! Here is article in We Are Church Ireland.
See additional photos on Facebook Page: Bridget Mary Meehan
http://voicesoffaith.org/church-needs-wake/
Celebration of the Divine Presence, In, Around and Among Us
Centering Prayer / Call to Gather: Come Be Beside Us by Jan Phillips
Come be beside us.
Come be around us.
Come be within us.
Come be among us.
Welcome and Theme
Presider 1: Today we gather joyfully to celebrate Divine Presence in, around and among us.
In the story of the Transfiguration, like Jesus, we are called to encounter the Holy One everywhere and in everyone we meet.
Opening Prayer
Presider 2: Holy One, may we hear your voice speaking through our sisters and brothers who seek justice in our world. May we see your face shining everywhere, and embrace you in everyone and everything. May we rejoice that we are always your beloved!
Opening Song: You Are the Voice by David Haas
Refrain: You are the voice of the living God,
calling us now to live in your love;
to be children of God once again!
1. Praise for the light that shines through the night,
from darkness to light,
from death to new life,
and praise to the morning that brings forth the sun,
to open our eyes to our God!
to open our eyes to our God!
calling us now to live in your love;
to be children of God once again!
1. Praise for the light that shines through the night,
from darkness to light,
from death to new life,
and praise to the morning that brings forth the sun,
to open our eyes to our God!
to open our eyes to our God!
Refrain
2. Praise for the water that springs from the sea,
the seed that gives life to all who believe.
God's love overflowing, our hearts know the joy
To be daughters and sons of our God!
To be daughters and sons of our God!
To be daughters and sons of our God!
Refrain
3. Praise for the singing and praise for the dance,
with new heart and voice,
all raise the song
3. Praise for the singing and praise for the dance,
with new heart and voice,
all raise the song
of praise to creation;
all heaven and earth,
come sing of Glory of God!
come sng of Glory of God!
all heaven and earth,
come sing of Glory of God!
come sng of Glory of God!
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Joel 2:28–29
“I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity;
your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old ones shall dream dreams,
and your young shall see visions.
On all men and women
Will I pour out my Spirit in those days.”
These are the inspired words of the prophet Joel, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Spirit of the Living God
Sung by Michael Crawford
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me.
Melt me mold me
Fill me use me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me.
Second Reading: Adapted from Christ in the Margins
By Edwina Gateley
It is time for all of us to recognize and to proclaim the Holy One. It is time to be prophetic about this One who is present in the folks who are pushed aside, dismissed, left out, undermined, underfed, unhoused, or simply unseen and unheard.
It is time for all of us to stop marching along with the status quo in search of security, power, and control, but to stumble instead towards the margins where we will encounter a magic and a mystery that will plunge us trembling but rejoicing into the realm of the Holy One.
We are invited into such a time and such a place where we will recognize the Divine Presence, the Beloved – always new, always unexpected. In such a time indeed, and only in such a time, along with all the Holy One’s prophets, fools, artists, mystics, poets, and children will we realize a new Jerusalem. The invitation is always there. The Beloved is always waiting. It is never too late to see, and to become, "The face of the Holy One in the margins."
These are the inspired words of the Edwina Gateley, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Celtic Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 9:28-14:25
The Transfiguration -
Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter really did not know what he was saying.
While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Own, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
When the voice finished speaking, they saw no one but Jesus standing there. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
These are the inspired words of Luke, disciple of Jesus, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Shared Homily: “Be Still and Know that I am God” by Shaina Noll
Communal Sharing: How do you experience the Holy One in your life and in our world?
Statement of Faith
Presider 1: Please join in praying our statement of faith
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Presider 1: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…”(Presider 1at conclusion) We pray for these and all unspoken concerns. Amen.
Presider 2: O Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.
Preparation of the Gifts
Presiders (raise bread and wine): Ever gentle God, as co-creators of our planet, we offer you the gifts of bread, wine and our lives. May we celebrate our oneness with all creatures great and small in the family of God. We celebrate this sacred meal in Christ Sophia, the wisdom of God. ALL: Amen
Presider: Let us celebrate our oneness in the Cosmic Christ.
ALL: We are gathered as a community to celebrate the Divine Presence in, around and among us everywhere.
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider: Holy One, You stirred the waters of creation, and You dwell in us.
ALL: And in every living being.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to You, our Creator, in whom all are one.
Presider: Let us give thanks for the Breath of life.
All: It is right to give thanks for your Divine Presence present everywhere and In everything.
All: O Holy One, we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future.
As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.
United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Loving God, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker
We are holy, holy, holy
We are holy, holy, holy
We are holy, holy, holy
We are whole...
Spirit divine,
Come to me
Feeling love,
Healing me
Open my heart,
Allow me to see
Beauty & love
Lives in me
You are holy, holy, holy
We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.
And for the children, that they may live, that they may have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to go on and on – we pray for peace, in their name.
And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this,
For the animals that have no voice in this,
For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,
For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.
(Presiders approach the table and invite all to extend hands)
You pour out your spirit anew upon this bread and wine and upon us as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world
On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.
When he returned to his place at the table, Jesus lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat; this is my very self.
(pause)
He then raised high the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying:
Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life,
for you and for everyone.
Whenever you do this, Re-member me!
(pause)
Loving God, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and consecrated and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love. We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation.
We will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
For it is through learning to live as he lived,
And why he lived,
And for whom he lived,
That we awaken to your Spirit within,
Moving us to worship you truly,
Life-giving God,
At this time and all time and in all ways.
AMEN
Presider 2: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:
All: O Holy One, who is within, around and among us,
We celebrate your many names.
Your Wisdom come.
Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us,
Each day you give us all we need;
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen (Miriam Therese Winter)
Sign of Peace
Presider 1: The Holy One’s peace is with you.
All: And also with you.
Presider 1: Please share a sign of peace and return to your seats when the music ends.
Peace Song: Prayer for Peace by David Haas
Peace before us.
Peace behind us.
Peace under our feet.
Peace within us.
Peace over us.
Let all around us be peace.
Love before us…
Light before us…
Christ before us…
Presider 2: Please join in our prayer for the breaking of the bread:
(presiders break the bread during prayer)
All: Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live justly.
Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will love tenderly
Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will love tenderly
Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
(Presiders lift bread and wine)
Presider 1: This is the Bread of Life. This is the Cup of Blessing. How blessed are we who are called to the table.
All: What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.
Presider 2: You are the Body of Christ.
Communion Song: The Beauty of the Dancer by Sara Thomsen
You see the beauty of the dancer
You hear the beauty of the song
You feel the beauty all around you
You wonder whether you belong.
You are where you belong!
You are the beauty of the dancer
You are the beauty of the song
You are the beauty all around you
You’re standing right where you belong
You’re standing right where you belong!
all above you
all below you
all around you
all within you
Beauty all above you
Beauty all below you
Beauty all around you
Beauty all within you
(Repeat)
You see the beauty of the dancer
You hear the beauty of the song
You feel the beauty all around you
You wonder whether you belong
You are the beauty of the dancer
You are the beauty of the song
You are the beauty all around you
You’re standing right where you belong!
(Repeat)
You are beauty
You are beauty
All above you
All below you
All around you
All within you
You are beauty
You are beauty
Beauty all above you
Beauty all below you
Beauty all around you
Beauty all within you
(Repeat)
BLESSING
Presider 2: Let us pray:
May wonder and thanksgiving fill us, may compassion penetrate us, that we may penetrate the numbness that continues our society’s injustices. May we know that we are loved. May we continue to be the face of God to each other and may our name be a blessing in our time! Amen.
Presider 1: Please join in singing our Closing Song
Closing Song: Dance, Then, Wherever You May Be
By John Ogrodwczyk
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon, and the stars, and the Sun
I came to the Earth and I danced on the sea
From the dust of stars I came to be.
I danced in the Moon, and the stars, and the Sun
I came to the Earth and I danced on the sea
From the dust of stars I came to be.
Refrain:
Dance then, wherever you may be
I Am the Life in your dance you see!
And I'll lead you all, and you will dance with me,
I Am the Life in your dance you see!
And I'll lead you all, and you will dance with me,
For I am Life, The Great Mystery!
I danced for the strong and I danced for the weak,
I danced for those who wouldn't dance with me,
I danced for the rich and I danced for the poor,
I danced till the king’s gold lustered no more.
Refrain
I danced for the strong and I danced for the weak,
I danced for those who wouldn't dance with me,
I danced for the rich and I danced for the poor,
I danced till the king’s gold lustered no more.
Refrain
I danced in the springtime, in the summer and fall
I danced when the cold winds blew in winter's call
I danced in the rain under rainbow's bend,
I danced when the cold winds blew in winter's call
I danced in the rain under rainbow's bend,
I danced in the sun till horizon's end.
Refrain
I danced in the cities under coal skies black
I danced in the cities under coal skies black
I danced in the forest where the trees fell fast
I danced on the waters where poison rivers flowed
Still I dance and hope, love's just biding I know
Refrain
There are those that doubt and fear what they don't know
They run and they fight, seeds of hate they sow
But they cannot take my soul, from their chains I will break free
I'm the Light in the darkness for all humanity.
(Eucharistic prayer taken from the work of Diarmuid O’Murchu, Jay Murnane and Bridget Mary Meehan)
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
703-505-0004
sofiabmm@aol.com
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